Ex-cop suing city of Miami for time it took to put on uniform

A former sergeant is suing the city of Miami for unpaid overtime wages for the time to put on his uniform, maintain his vehicle and maintain his weapon, the Miami Herald is reporting.

Michael Weissberg, who retired in March after 8 years with the South Miami Police Department, said in his complaint that he would have to arrive to work 30 minutes early each day for a total of five to 10 unpaid hours per week amounting to $17,000 in unpaid wages.

The city announced this month that it will fight the suit, and insists that officers are expected to put on their uniform and maintain it as well as their car on their own time.

Weissberg's case isn't unprecedented. In 2009, a federal judge ruled that the Los Angeles Police Department was responsible for paying its officers for the five to 15 minutes it takes them to put on and take off their uniforms and safety equipment, according to the Los Angeles Times.